My kid is in Baseball, and Basketball currently, plus all the camps/clinics as well. If he wants to do something, I say yes, as long as he is willing to finish it. He has turned down many other sports because he wants his "Nothing to do" time still. On top of sports, he is involved in Boyscouts, The Gifted/Talented Program, and Misc. After School activities (most recently he is trying out for the School Play) On top of all of this he wants me to look into some form of martial arts for him, and he wants to get lessons to play the violin. All of this is at his discretion, as long as he promises me to see it to the end. (I mention all this so you know the basis of my experience for my next statements)
At ANY of these functions, there is at least 1 parent screaming, cursing, and acting like a jerk. (I hate to say it, but usually a Dad) I can remember one time in particular, we had a teammate on our baseball team who had the police called on him. He was going to be banned from the field but then the hurricanes hit and our season got canceled. The other teams coach is a very well known and respected little league coach throughout So. Fla, everyone knows and loves this guy. He doesn't coach his own kids only, he also coaches the other team because his thoughts are that everyone is there to learn the game and have a good time. I have never in my dealings with him (both little league and professionally) seen him not smile or in a bad mood. To the point, he showed our teammate how to adjust his grip on the bat to straighten out his hits, the kids dad jumps up, and starts a pushing/shoving/screaming fight with the coach, because the coach had the audacity to try and teach his kid something.
You want research for your project? Attend ANY youth sports event around you.
I just reread my post here, I want to add that I was once chastised at my son's game, so I am not innocent. In my case I was coaching over our teams coach because instead of teaching the kids to make plays he was having them throw the ball to the pitcher no matter what (not even teaching them to step on the bag). In his defense, these were 4-5yr old kids, with no knowledge of the basics (what better time to learn), but my son is a pro-baller* and knows how to make a double play, so should not be encouraged to unlearn what he has already worked very hard for. I was not yelling, screaming, cursing, or anything else, I was only telling my son (1st base) to throw to 2nd for the double play when I was chastised in front of everyone by our coach. That was the last time I yelled encouragement and saved it instead of our practices at home. Next time the coach got on my son for that, he responded with "I'm sorry, but my mom says I'm not to listen to you." Possibly disrespectful yes, but I'm not about to teach my son that it is okay to dumb yourself up to 'fit in' either. Kind of a 'lesser of two evils' situation IMO.
GD, I wrote a book, hope it helps Lot.
*Not parental bias, at 7 he had 3 different recruiters calling him. You're gonna see my kid in the majors. Ok, I'll admit to bias on that last part, the recruiter part is true tho
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